‘Can a movie go too far?’
The Last House on the Left is a 1972 American horror film about two teenage girls who are kidnapped and brutalised by a gang of psychopathic criminals.
The movie was written, directed and edited by Wes Craven (Scream; A Nightmare on Elm Street; The Hills Have Eyes; et al) and produced by Sean S. Cunningham (Friday the 13th).
The story was inspired by the 1960 Swedish film The Virgin Spring, directed by Ingmar Bergman, which in turn was based on the 13th-century Swedish ballad ‘Töres döttrar i Wänge’. The film was remade into a 2009 film of the same name.
Plot:
Mari Collingwood (Sandra Cassel) plans to celebrate her 17th birthday by attending a rock concert with her friend, Phyllis Stone (Lucy Grantham). Her parents (Gaylord St. James and Cynthia Carr) express concern both at the band and Mari’s friendship with Phyllis. They let her go, giving her a peace symbol necklace as a gift before she leaves.
Phyllis and Mari go to the city for the concert. On the way, they hear a news report on the car radio of a recent prison escape, involving criminals Krug Stillo (David A. Hess), a sadist and serial killer, his son Junior (Marc Sheffler), Sadie (Jeramie Rain), a psychopath and sadist, and Fred “Weasel” Podowski (Fred Lincoln) a murderer.
Before the concert, Mari and Phyllis stroll the streets, seeking someone who might sell them marijuana. They find Junior, who leads them back to an apartment, where they are immediately trapped by the criminals. Phyllis tries to escape, and then tries to reason with the criminals to let her go, but their captors subdue and carnally assault her. Meanwhile, Mari’s unsuspecting parents prepare a surprise party for her…
Reviews:
“Unlike Night of the Living Dead or the subsequent Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Last House is not a masterwork of controlled filmmaking but a shaky amateurish effort that veers deliriously (and even stupidly) off tone and off point repeatedly.” Mike “McBeardo” McFadden, Heavy Metal Movies
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Cast and characters:
Sandra Peabody … Mari Collingwood (as Sandra Cassell); Lucy Grantham … Phyllis Stone; David Hess … Krug Stillo; Fred J. Lincoln … Fred ‘Weasel’ Podowski; Jeramie Rain … Sadie; Marc Sheffler … Junior Stillo; Richard Towers … Doctor John Collingwood (as Gaylord St. James); Cynthia Carr … Estelle Collingwood; Ada Washington … Ada; Marshall Anker … Sheriff; Ray Edwards … Postman; Jonathan Craven … Boy with Balloon; Anthony J. Forcelli … Ice Cream Store Clerk; Steve Miner … Hippie Taunting Deputy
Film facts:
The shooting title was Night of Vengeance and the movie was also released as Sex Crime of the Century and Krug & Company. The 16mm release title was Grim Company.
Related:
THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (2009) Reviews of the slick yet still sick remake
